ABU DHABI: Team Sweden’s Jonas Andersson survived three yellow flag stoppages to claim a thrilling victory in Friday afternoon’s Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, as Team Abu Dhabi’s Alex Carella recovered from Thursday’s accident to snatch third place from the clutches of the Victory Team’s Shaun Torrente within meters of the finish of the race at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater.
In a race that has strengthened runner-up Philippe Chiappe’s case for claiming a third successive world title heading into next weekend’s Sharjah showdown, yellow flag incidents ignited the drama and Carella overcame a crash on Friday and news of the death of his father in Italy on Thursday evening to round off the podium in a nail-biting climax. Andersson’s win was his first since the 2009 Grand Prix in Liuzhou and a fifth in his career.
“It was a crazy, crazy race,” said an emotional Carella. “I pushed so hard on that last lap, right to the last meter to catch Shaun. It was a fantastic podium today after what happened with the crash yesterday and the news of my father. This is so special, this podium for me.”
Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al-Qamzi started the race from seventh and climbed as high as sixth before his DAC began to take on water after a collision with a turn buoy and he retired during the third yellow flag stoppage.
Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qamzi and Mohammed Al-Mehairbi began the F4-S race in second and third positions behind Brisset. Al-Qamzi hit the front of the 18-lap race at the first turn buoy and stormed away from his rivals to clinch the prestigious title in perfect style with two races to spare.
It was a sensational performance by the talented young Emirati and fully rewarded his team management for their decision to put him through hectic F2 and endurance racing programs in 2016. It also marked the first globally recognized title for a local driver from the progressive Team Abu Dhabi stable.
“I feel so happy, it was a nice race and I pushed hard to get the first place,” said a delighted Al-Qamzi. “I suppose second or third would have been enough, but I wanted to win this race for my country and take the championship. I passed on the first buoy, when the leader (Brisset) spun, and the red boat was behind me, but I didn’t care about him. I just go.”
In a race that has strengthened runner-up Philippe Chiappe’s case for claiming a third successive world title heading into next weekend’s Sharjah showdown, yellow flag incidents ignited the drama and Carella overcame a crash on Friday and news of the death of his father in Italy on Thursday evening to round off the podium in a nail-biting climax. Andersson’s win was his first since the 2009 Grand Prix in Liuzhou and a fifth in his career.
“It was a crazy, crazy race,” said an emotional Carella. “I pushed so hard on that last lap, right to the last meter to catch Shaun. It was a fantastic podium today after what happened with the crash yesterday and the news of my father. This is so special, this podium for me.”
Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al-Qamzi started the race from seventh and climbed as high as sixth before his DAC began to take on water after a collision with a turn buoy and he retired during the third yellow flag stoppage.
Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qamzi and Mohammed Al-Mehairbi began the F4-S race in second and third positions behind Brisset. Al-Qamzi hit the front of the 18-lap race at the first turn buoy and stormed away from his rivals to clinch the prestigious title in perfect style with two races to spare.
It was a sensational performance by the talented young Emirati and fully rewarded his team management for their decision to put him through hectic F2 and endurance racing programs in 2016. It also marked the first globally recognized title for a local driver from the progressive Team Abu Dhabi stable.
“I feel so happy, it was a nice race and I pushed hard to get the first place,” said a delighted Al-Qamzi. “I suppose second or third would have been enough, but I wanted to win this race for my country and take the championship. I passed on the first buoy, when the leader (Brisset) spun, and the red boat was behind me, but I didn’t care about him. I just go.”
